Apparatus and method for serving a frozen confection

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an apparatus and method for transforming a hardened frozen confection into a softer composition by use of a flexible confection holder with handles on both sides of the novelty stick. The handles on both sides of the confection holder are used to flex, twist and rotate the stick, thus softening the solid confection by virtue of friction. The two handles can further be brought together to create a single handle, thus facilitating consumption of the now softened middle of the frozen confection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to the use of supporting sticks for frozen confections. Frozen confections or novelties, such as frozen ice cream or frozen gelatin and the like, have been widely popular for many years. The use of supporting sticks in the preparing confections is also well known. U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,593,858, 1,847,415, 1,867,945, 1,929,906, 1,936,816, 1,972,799, 2,211,197, 2,469,589, 2,583,355, 2,821,481, 3,663,717, 3,748,778, 5,042,860 5,946,773, 6,231,904 and 6,884,447 show designs for the supporting stick for various confections. The sticks themselves are formed in any of several appropriate shapes, such as a long cylinder or a long rectangular shape. The typical confection holder is an elongated and flat piece of wood that is embedded into the substance to be eaten.

Frozen confections such as ice cream and frozen gelatin have traditionally been packaged on a supporting stick made of wooden material including birch, poplar or maple. While there are positive attributes to the use of wooden support sticks for frozen confections, such as their durability during the manufacturing process, there are also important problems associated with the use wooden sticks for frozen confections. Difficulties in achieving uniformity, purity and availability have been common in the manufacturing process.

Substitution of plastic material from the traditional wood in confectionary sticks has also been taught. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,051 Watkins teaches forming plastic confection sticks having unique shapes, texture and surface configurations. Furthermore, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,808, Wagner discloses the use of a molded, flexible plastic confection stick including longitudinal grooves molded into a section of the stick. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,902, Dee also shows a plastic confection stick and holder.

However, each of these prior-art plastic support sticks suffer from the disadvantage that they solely conceived for a functional or utilitarian purpose. They provide no entertainment or play value to the product they support. Accordingly, a support stick for an ice cream bar, or similar confection, which provides enhanced entertainment and intrinsic play value is desired.

Furthermore, soft-serve frozen confections have broad customer appeal and are, therefore, widely sold by food service retailers. However, soft-serve frozen confections are typically dispensed for immediate consumption through use of large and expensive mixing machines that require regular maintenance and cleaning. Once again, a support stick for an ice cream bar, or similar confection, that by simple manual operation would soften the ice cream on the support stick is also very desirable.

Finally, a common issue with frozen confections is that they tend to melt and drip before completely consumed. Drip-catching means are commonly known, and have been shown by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,515,998 and 5,770,250. Due to the unique qualities of the instant invention, an innovative presentation for catching drips of melting confections is also disclosed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the objects of the present invention, an apparatus and method for serving a soft-serve frozen product on an innovative new support stick is herein taught. It is an objective of the present invention to present a frozen confection holder that not only holds the confection, as is common in the prior art, but has the additional play value of allowing the consumer to flex, twist and rotate the confection stick. This motion causes friction within the confection itself, thus softening the frozen treat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a flexible confection holder in accordance to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flexible confection holder in combination with a frozen confection.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flexible confection holder with both ends combined to create a single holder.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flexible confection holder with both ends combined to create a drip-catch means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a frozen confection holder apparatus, the design and properties of which, allows the consumer to flex, twist and rotate a frozen or semi-frozen confection while still on the stick. This flexing, twisting and rotating action serves many important purposes. First, as the frozen or semi-frozen confection is flexed and twisted, the movement softens it. Soft-serve frozen confections are widely popular and have enjoyed proven commercial success. Second, as the frozen or semi-frozen confection is flexed and twisted, the ingredients are therein mixed. Popular add-in items such as candies, cookies, brownies as well as the traditional caramel, chocolate syrup and the like are mixed in the process, giving a fresh presentation to the confection. Third, as the frozen or semi-frozen confection is flexed, twisted and rotated the process gives both play and entertainment action to the treat, hence it once again becomes a novelty.

Accordingly, it is the objective of the present invention to show a novel new design for a flexible plastic confection holder, and in particular, an apparatus and method for serving frozen material such as ice cream, pudding, gelatin, yogurt, sherbet, flavored ice, smoothie or other frozen, semi-frozen or chilled confectionery.

Currently, soft-serve ice cream is dispensed via large and expensive machines made for that purpose. These machines require proper regular maintenance and cleaning by an attendant. Alternatively, frozen confections that are placed on a stick are commonly sold in a solid or hard state. These frozen confections are typically consumed immediately, before any softening can occur. In fact, in the current art of frozen confections on a stick, the only factor that is used to soften the confection constitution is the amount of time the frozen confection is allowed to remain at room temperature during consumption.

An object of the instant invention is to provide a serving apparatus that overcomes problems and disadvantages of existing systems and thus provide an improved support stick for a frozen confection.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a frozen confection support stick that enhances the aesthetic value of the confection.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a combination of a frozen confection and support holder wherein the support holder provides inherent entertainment and play value.

Thus, the instant invention presents a combination of solid confection and a holder apparatus therefore. In FIG. 1, the confection holder is shown comprising a handle means and a flexibility means. The handle means comprising two locations 10 & 11 left uncovered by the confection 12, shown in FIG. 2, for a user to hold on both ends of the novelty stick. The handles on both ends of confection holder allows a user to flex, twist and rotate the handles 13 in opposite directions in a back a forth motion, thus employing the flexibility means of the confection holder.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, an object of the instant invention is shown in the further flexibility 14 of the confection holder. Wherein the handles on both ends of the confection holder, after softening and mixing the confection, are brought together forming a single handle 15 means facilitating consumption from the softened middle of the confection.

FIG. 4 shows another object of the instant invention is a drip-catch means 16 when the handles 15 are brought together. A portion of the drip-catch means is on each side of the novelty stick. When the two handles are brought together to form a single handle, the means is complete for catching drips of the melting confection.

In view of the above, it is apparent that in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method that fully satisfies the objectives, aims and advantages thereof are described. It would be appreciated that while the invention has been described in the context of specific embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations thereon will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing descriptions.

Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as failing within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. The combination of a solid confection and a holder therefore, said holder comprising a handle means and a flexibility means. Said handle means comprising two locations left uncovered by said confection for a user to hold on both ends of the novelty stick. Said handles on both ends of confection holder with said flexibility means allows a user to flex, twist and rotate handles in opposite directions in a back a forth motion.
 2. The confection holder according to claim 1 wherein the handles on both ends of the confection holder, after softening and mixing the confection in accordance with claim 12, are brought together forming a single handle means facilitating consumption from the softened middle of the confection.
 3. The confection holder according to claim 2 wherein the handles, when brought together, form a drip-catch means.
 4. The confection holder according to claim 1 wherein the holder is formed of flexible plastic.
 5. The confection holder according to claim 1 wherein the solid confection is ice cream.
 6. The confection holder according to claim 1 wherein the solid confection is frozen pudding.
 7. The confection holder according to claim 1 wherein the solid confection is frozen gelatin.
 8. The confection holder according to claim 1 wherein the solid confection is frozen yogurt.
 9. The confection holder according to claim 1 wherein the solid confection is frozen sherbet.
 10. The confection holder according to claim 1 wherein the solid confection is frozen flavored ice.
 11. The confection holder according to claim 1 wherein the solid confection is frozen smoothie.
 12. A method for making a solid confection soften and mix said confection composition before consumption comprising the steps of: (a) user holds handles on both ends of said confection holder, and (b) user flexes, twists and rotates confection handles in opposite directions in a back a forth motion repeatedly until said composition softens. 